Hancock Falls 78-68 to No.9 Fresno City College to Open Modesto Tournament

Lawrence Johnson scored 17 points to lead a quartet of Bulldogs in double figures, but the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team fell 78-68 to Fresno City College in the first round of the Modesto Junior College Tournament on Wednesday. 

The Bulldogs dropped to 5-6 overall after their second loss of the season to the Rams. Hancock faces Sacramento City College (4-5) in the consolation round at 8 a.m. on Thursday. The Rams, who are ranked ninth in the state, improved to 10-3.

The Bulldogs trailed the Rams by two with less than two minutes to play in the game, but Fresno City pulled away down the stretch.

Johnson scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half on three three-point buckets and two field goals. Matt Willkomm, an Arroyo Grande High School graduate, scored all 11 of his points in the first half. The freshman connected on three triples in the first 20 minutes. Shamel Williams added 11 points, while Polk State transfer Lavell White added 15 points, including 12 in the second half.